De Loach Tops Zia Futurity Trials

New Mexico-bred race will over a purse of nearly $400,000.

Terry and Irene Stennett’s De Loach made a big late charge to win the fourth of 10 trials and set the fastest qualifying time to the Zia Futurity (RG1) on Friday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

The $392,253 purse for the 400-yard Zia Futurity is the largest purse offered during the Zia Festival on July 26-27. The Zia Festival has grown into one of the most popular weekends of the Ruidoso summer season. The racing celebrates New Mexico-bred competition and the grandstand is filled with vendors offering Southwestern-themed wares.

De Loach raced to the second win of his four-race career when he drew out to the one-half-length win with the afternoon’s top time of :19.471 for 400 yards. He also won his Mountain Top Futurity (RG3) trial and qualified for that futurity for trainer Blane Wood.

Raymond Gilder’s well-bred filly Tuscan Redd, trained by Jackie Riddle, won her maiden in the first trial with the second-fastest time of :19.510. The daughter of leading sire Jesse James Jr and champion Alice K White led two other qualifiers from that trial into the futurity.

Following her under the wire were Hard To Be Blue with a :19.588 time and Jess Charm with a :19.613 mark.

Girlonthego and Chamiso James, a $15,000 supplemental nominee, ran one-two in the 10th trial with the third- and fourth-fastest qualifying marks. Girlonthego was timed in :19.547 while Chamiso James was given a :19.559.